Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-11
GRAND ARMY HALL.
Brilliant Scenes At the Dedication Last
Evening.

Evening"
ADDRESSES By SENATOR SHERMAN GEN BURpETT,
GEN. RosECRANs, AND CORRESPONDING STOCK
COMPANY.
The new Grand Army Hall on the south side of
Pennsylvania avenue, between I4th and 18th
streets was dedicated last night with imposing
ceremonies to the use Of the Grand Army of the
Republic AS early as O'Clock the building was
thronged by blue uniformed veterans, and the
ladies accompanying them, who strolled from floor
to floor admiring and inspecting the handsome
quarters OF the g. A. r. men and the many con-
venences which have been provided for their
comfort. The large and handsomely finished hall
presented most imposing and brilliant appear
ance, and many and various were the expressions
OF admiration from the visitors they filed in to
take their seats. The white walls were festOoned
most concealing them from view. Mingled among
them were large green palm leaves and other trOpi
cal foliage which with the handsome dresses of the
ladies' ana the blue uniforms and brass buttons OF
the comrades made pretty effect in colOrs.
when senator Sherman entered and took a seat
upon the platform every inch Of space in the hall
was occupied. Ranged in rows along the walls
were gray-haired veterans, who stood, in order
that the ladies might be accommodated with
seats. ON the platform, besides senator Sherman,
Were seated Gen. ROsecranS, Gen. S. s. Burdett,
Gen. Horace Boughton, Gen. Green B. Raum, Gen.
Stocklager, Department Commander Burke, ex-
representative c. NJ. Anderson of Ohio, Chaplain
Benz. swallow, Col. ChaS b. King, j. II. SOule,
capt. ID. W. HOughtOn, and others.
THE CEREMONIES WERE OPENED
by the assembly" call from the Kit Carson Post
drum corps, and the stirring sounds they evoked
made the blood In the veins of the old soldiers run
quicker and caused many smile of remembrance
10 break over their cOuntenanceS. COmrade j. s.
e. Berger, chairman OF the building committee,
made neat speech, reviewing the difficulties
winch the Grand Army had met and overcome in
the way Of building suitable hall, and transfer
red the keys to Department Commander Burke,
rpnlip6 a follows. behalf
radeS OF the g. A. X. in this department thank
you, and, through you, the comrades associated
with you on the building committee, for the per-
fectly satisfactory manner in which your duties
nave been performed In their name, also, ac-
cept this beautiful structure as home for our
order. and, by the authority vested in me, and in
the names OF fraternity, charity, and loyalty,
dedicate it to the uses OF The Grand Army OF the
Republic, Department OF the Potomac"
GIN. BURDETTS REMARKS.
Gen. s. s. Burdett then stepped to the front
and was hailed by storm OF applause from the
audience. He spoke in his usual ail-fellOw-well-
met way, and evoked "bravO" after bravo when
he referred, in particularly eloquent manner, to
old times. He said that he felt exceedingly proud
and gratifed at what was taking place. "The
Grand Army is my only child and am glad to see
that 1t Is so well grown. This is beautiful hall.
survivors OF the Union TO meet in In their declin-
ing days. Continuing, he said that the Grand
Army, unlike any other army that had ever ex-
lSted was In no respect an army Of mercenarieS,
or OF mere soldiers, for, when Lincoln issued call
for men To come forward to fight for God and the
Union nation Of gentlemen stepped to the front.
III was the duty, he said, OF the survivors to see
that It's ending is worthy OF its beginning.
SENATOR SHERMAN SPEAKS
Col. Burke then introduced senator Sherman.
He stood until the storm OF cheers rolled over.
The Senator said that he understood when he
came there that he was to have the luxury OF
hearing without the labor OF speaking. He said
he was very much pleased with the work of the
Grand Army, and predicted for the organization a
brilliant and successful future.
GEN. ROSECRANS
was the next speaker. He is, apparently quite as
great favorite as senator Sherman with the
Grand Army men. Certainly his reception was
most gratifying. He confined himself to few
congratulatory remarks, and then gave place to
the orator OF the evening,
Ex-REPREsENTATIvE ANDERSON.
He is tail, thin man. with large, finely shaped
head covered with long black hair. His face is
thin and determined in character. His eyes are
brown, and strkingly expressive. He referred in
strong and spirited language to the late war and
try. "One battle, that OF Gettysburg Will stand
on the pages OF history above any thousand put
together, except for military operations. 1t was
the termination and settling, forever and forever
OF the question that State could eat breakfast in
one place and dinner in another. 1t decided for
ever and forever that two words in the vocabulary
should never be used again where English Is
spoken. Those words are Master ADD slave!'"
AT the conclusion of this address and after the
duuieuce 1du DccOlne quiet. Gen. Green b. Raum
announced that Ii was proposed to form stock
company 10 secure the hall permanently, and that
already the company had been organized with Gen.
Burdett as president, Comrade Church VICE. resi-
dent, Gen. Burke secretary, and COmrade Gibson
treasurer. Ten thousand dollars was to be the
capital stock, in shares OF 81 EACH and he stated
that already 81 900 had been subscribed. He then
started the subscription with 800, and was fol-
lowed by Senator Sherman, 500: COmrade Gibson
800; Lincoln Post, q. A. K, 500; Burnside Post
No. =, $40; Miss Clara Barton, OF Red Cross fame
$40. and other small subscriptions making a total
OF $50. This ended the ceremonies, and the COM
pany adjourned TO the upper rooms for supper and
dancing
During the evening, between the speeches. an
excellent musical and literary program was rem
dered by F. j. Whipple, ID, j. Evans, Mrs. Geo. w.
Ross. Mrs Minna Green, Miss Matte LuXton, John
TWeedale Geo. ii. LiileOridge, Geo. ID. Scott, Miss
Donna GelSton. e. &. LOe1er, and Mr.. Springsrein,
who gave an imitation of the battle OF tysburg
on the drum.